Why are women circumcised? These operations are medically unnecessary, agonisingly painful and extremely
dangerous. Some girls die from shock and loss of blood. Others develop
psychiatric problems from the trauma. Many have chronic infections lasting a
lifetime and there are numerous troubles with childbirth, intercourse and
menstruation.

Most of the estimated 70 million circumcised women and girls live in certain parts of
Africa and the Middle East. There the practice thrives for a variety of social
reasons. for instance, in many places a girl who is not circumcised is
considered unfit for marriage. Without a husband she might have no means to
support herself. Women therefore get caught up in a vicious circle where
survival may dictate that they submit to the circumciser'
knife.

The stranglehold of tradition

In many communities the social and cultural background to circumcision has become deeply
entrenched in tradition. This is especially so where generations of poverty have
bred ignorance about health issues. However,
amongst many of the educated young there is a growing awareness that, in truth,
circumcision has no medical, moral or religious justifications. Sadly, it is not
always easy to challenge tradition. Take for example the following case of a
mother who decided, with her husband, that their three daughters would not be
subjected to the mutilations which she herself had
undergone.

They were born in France, while my husband and I were finishing our
studies. When we returned to Mali, my mother was the first to ask me if I had
had my children excised and infibulated. I replied 'no' and stated explicitly
that I had no intention of having it done. It was during the holidays. Having
found work, I often left my children at my parents and came to fetch them at the
weekend. One day, on the way back from work, I went to say hello to them. I was
astonished not to see my daughters. Normally they would rush out to greet me.
Then I asked my mother where they were. 'They're in that room', she replied,
indicating the place where they usually slept. I wondered if they were sleeping,
or just didn't know that I was there. I went into the room. There they were on
the floor, on mats covered with cloths. At the sight of their swollen faces and
eyes full of tears; I gasped and cried out; what is it? What’s happened to you
my children? But even before the little occupants of the room could reply, the
voice of my mother reached me: 'Don't you go disturbing MY grand children. they
have been excised and infibulated this morning'.

Let African women speak out

This young mother, asked her views on putting an end to the practices, replied: 'I
don't how exactly how, but it doesn't seem to me impossible. At what price I
don't know. But nothing can be done towards the abolition of these customs if
the women concerned do not get together to impose their point in
view'.

Progress is being made

FOWARD is a development from WAGFEI - an organization originally set up under the
Auspices of the Minority Rights Group, called - The Women's Action Group on
Female Excision & Infibulation. Founded in 1981 by a group of African, Arab
and Western women with expertise and concern about this problem, our
achievements have included:

• First
raising at the United Nations the question of female circumcision as a violation
of Human Rights.

•
Opening up the debate on this sensitive aspect of women's health in both
developing countries and the UK by, for instance, advising BBC2 on the making of
its much acclaimed documentary film about the issue.

• Helping African women publish their work as part of the struggle
to combat the practice in their own countries.

•
Fundraising to provide financial support for health, research and education
projects in Sudan, Somalia, Egypt and Kenya.

In
Victorian times a less-radical form of circumcision was sometimes practiced in
Britain and the United States supposedly to curb the passions of young ladies.
Amongst Westerners it has now died out, in the same way as other abuses of the
women such as widow burning in India and foot binding in China have
stopped.

The way "Foward"

One difficulty with WAGFEI was that the organisation's name was too explicit for
working quietly in areas hostile to change. Reconstituted as FOWARD, we can
present ourselves more acceptably for what we are, in terms of our broadest
objectives: that is, as a non-governmental development agency, working to
improve women's health and social conditions in Africa and elsewhere, FOWARD has
joined hands with development workers where circumcision is a problem to fight
this damaging practice in the following ways:

• Public
education campaigns, by local community and health workers, for the people.
These aim to create awareness of why the practice is both harmful and
unnecessary.

•
Training and redirecting the energies of village "midwives" who make their
living from circumcision, so that they can learn to practice positive aspects of
health care.

•
Carrying out research into the reasons for circumcision. This will help guide
efforts to combat the practice in ways appropriate to different
communities.

How you can help

In many
poor countries women's needs are the last to receive attention FOWARD
desperately needs your support to change this. Here is what you can do to
help:

• Join
as an Honorary Member of FOWARD: we ask you to subscribe at least £5 a year (£3
for claimants). In return, you will receive our newsletter three times a year to
keep you up-to-date with the progress being made. You will also be invited to
any meetings being held in your area and to participate in other
ways.

• Become
an Honorary Representative: by undertaking to distribute our leaflets and
organising at least one fundraising event a year. It need not be anything
especially big or difficult - the kind of thing other people are doing is
holding coffee mornings, collections, jumble sales or going on sponsored
runs.

• Give a
Donation: because most of FORWARD's work is carried out through local community
workers, doctors and nurses, our investment is in people. A little money goes a
long way in countries where just £10 can pay a nurse for a
week.

•
Affiliate Membership: is open to groups such as clubs, firms, churches and
student unions. The benefits are the same as for individuals, but we ask you to
subscribe at least £15 a year

What not to do

Many
people from countries practicing female circumcision are presently defensive
about the practice, which has existed with them for over 2,000 years. Unless the
pressure for change is seen to be coming primarily from their own nationals, it
can be counter-productive. For this reason please do not organize petitions,
protest marches or letter-writing campaigns. Instead, give your help by donating
money or your time to fundraise.

In this way help can be channeled to responsible local people who fully understand what
needs doing in their area. Their biggest problem is a lack of financial
resources to support their urgent work. Thanks to a generous grant from the Ford
Foundation, Foward's Director has been able to visit all the projects being
supported to ensure that your money is being used in the most effective way
possible. She, herself, was born in Ghana and trained as a medical scientist and
sick children's nurse in London. Most of her career has been dedicated towards
fighting this awful practice which she first learned about as a young
girl.

You can help - join foward

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(NB. Banker's order forms are available on request. We are in the process of registering as a charity therefore covenant forms should soon be available too).